CLEVELAND – Lake Carriers’ Association, on behalf of the U.S.-flag Great Lakes fleet, is very happy to report that today the Senate Appropriations Committee approved $75.3 million in Fiscal Year 2020 funding for the new Soo Lock. This matches the amount approved by the U.S. House of Representatives earlier this year and also matches the amount the Trump Administration requested for FY ’20.
Jim Weakley, President of Lake Carriers’ said, “This is a major victory for supporters of the Soo Locks. $75.3 million is the largest single appropriation of construction money ever for this project. This funding will substantially advance the new lock as an addition to the $32.4 million approved by the Army Corps of Engineers last year (FY ’19) and the $52 million contribution from the State of Michigan.” Though the $75.3 million is critical, it still falls below the $89 million for FY ’20 the Corps’ deems “efficient funding.” This higher amount would optimize a design and construction schedule that could see the new lock built in seven years rather than 10 and could save $30 million in overall project costs.
About Lake Carriers’ Association
Since 1880, Lake Carriers’ has represented the U.S.-flag Great Lakes fleet, which today can move more than 90 million tons of cargos annually that are the foundation of American industry, infrastructure, and power: iron ore, stone, coal, cement, and other dry bulk materials such as grain, salt, and sand.